Internet security: Who is leaving the ‘virtual door’ open and why?

Authors

  • Daniel M. Downs University of Illinois at Chicago
  • Ilir Ademaj University of Illinois at Chicago
  • Amie M Schuck University of Illinois at Chicago

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v14i1.2251

Keywords:

Internet Security, cyber crime

Abstract

The purpose of the present paper is to study Chicago residents’ knowledge about Internet security and their utilization of prevention and detection tools. The results from hierarchical linear models suggest that there are significant gender, race, age, and community differences in knowledge about firewalls, spyware, phishing and data encryption, as well as the utilization of prevention and detection tools such as anti-virus programs, pop-up blockers and parental control software. Further, diffusion of innovation theory and utopian and dystopian perspectives toward technology help to explain some, but not all, of the variation in peoples’ knowledge about Internet threats and their use of security measures. These findings should help experts identify those people that may be more susceptible to cyber victimization, and highlight the importance of users’ behavior in the realm of Internet security.

Author Biographies

Daniel M. Downs, University of Illinois at Chicago

Daniel M. Downs, MA in Experimental Psychology, is a PhD student in Criminology, Law and Justice at the University of Illinois at Chicago. His areas of interest include youth attitudes toward the law, legal cynicism, Internet security and cyber crime, and quantitative methodology.

Ilir Ademaj, University of Illinois at Chicago

Ilir Ademaj, BA in Criminology, Law, and Justice at the University of Illinois at Chicago. His areas of interest include international law, genocide studies, human rights and non-profit organizations. Also, plans to pursue a J.D. at DePaul University.

Amie M Schuck, University of Illinois at Chicago

Amie M. Schuck, PhD in Criminal Justice, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Criminology, Law and Justice at University of Illinois at Chicago. Her areas of research interest include Internet security and identity theft, public safety partnerships, youth attitudes toward the police, and quantitative methodology.

Downloads

Published

2008-12-26

How to Cite

Downs, D. M., Ademaj, I., & Schuck, A. M. (2008). Internet security: Who is leaving the ‘virtual door’ open and why?. First Monday, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v14i1.2251